We had school delayed a couple hours today, so left the house a little after 10:00. The children were so thrilled with the ice and snow. They loved the sound of the crunching ice. Jordan was so excited about it that she asked me "mommy, can I crunch some more ice after school?"
But what I really wanted to write about is something else she said. Simple, yet profound. As we were driving to school, she said "Mommy, there is so much snow all around, it is like there is a white blanket covering the whole earth."
Love it!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Our dining room's facelift
Here are some pictures I have been asked for. I held off to put my new curtains, and since I did that today, here goes!!
Here are the kids playing in the dining room today. The chairs are missing because they are a part of a huge tent/fort in the living room. I don't have too many before pictures because I got so excited and forgot. The plates used to hang next to the mirror, and there were certificates of Darin's where the plates are now. I put those away, and put some pictures in the new frames next to the mirror.
Here is one before picture I did take when I realized I hadn't taken any.
a before of the "map wall" Darin loves this map and wouldn't let me replace it. I actually do like it-the kids ask lots of questions. They know where mommy and daddy served missions, and where all our overseas friends live.
The wall is now green!!! I loved how it turned out. Green is my favorite color.
A shot of our new frames.
Another of the whole room-I am standing on our steps. I wish I had a pic of the old curtains, you would laugh. I haven't liked them the whole time I have lived in the house-don't worry, Darin is aware of my dislike for them. We have the same ones in the living room and I can't wait to replace them as well. They were an ugly floral and were the kind with the big knots in the corners and hung to the floor. I think this is much improved. I will probably go back to KMart and get the same ones for the living room.
And I finally hung up one of my enrichment projects. I made this when I was pregnant with Landon-before I knew we were having a boy, so I have to order his name to go on one of the stars.
Here are the kids playing in the dining room today. The chairs are missing because they are a part of a huge tent/fort in the living room. I don't have too many before pictures because I got so excited and forgot. The plates used to hang next to the mirror, and there were certificates of Darin's where the plates are now. I put those away, and put some pictures in the new frames next to the mirror.
Here is one before picture I did take when I realized I hadn't taken any.
a before of the "map wall" Darin loves this map and wouldn't let me replace it. I actually do like it-the kids ask lots of questions. They know where mommy and daddy served missions, and where all our overseas friends live.
The wall is now green!!! I loved how it turned out. Green is my favorite color.
A shot of our new frames.
Another of the whole room-I am standing on our steps. I wish I had a pic of the old curtains, you would laugh. I haven't liked them the whole time I have lived in the house-don't worry, Darin is aware of my dislike for them. We have the same ones in the living room and I can't wait to replace them as well. They were an ugly floral and were the kind with the big knots in the corners and hung to the floor. I think this is much improved. I will probably go back to KMart and get the same ones for the living room.
And I finally hung up one of my enrichment projects. I made this when I was pregnant with Landon-before I knew we were having a boy, so I have to order his name to go on one of the stars.
There is a picture of one very small wall missing, but it has a very cluttered bakers rack no one really needs to see, as well as part of the staircase.
So, this is my first attempt at redecorating anything. There are lots of areas to touch up, but I was so worn out from painting, that has yet to be done. I do look forward to doing the living room eventually-I am going to use the same green, so I think that will be really nice.
We got a new table!
Well, not brand new, but new to us!!
As you can see, our table was getting a little warn. The varnish was showing signs of age and lots of use, so I decided it needed a face lift. I was in a restaurant one day and thougth to myself "it would be nice if our table had a nice finish like this." I went to home depot and found some stuff called "Super glaze. " And decided to try it.
Here is the before picture...this is after I had started sanding....and without the leaf, then I realized I had to do the leaf as well so it would be even.
And here is the finished product!!! I was so happy when I saw it in the morning! It was quite a process, so I was happy it turned out well. I learned a lot, andwould probably do much better next time, but nonetheless, it is great.
A close up of the wood. Oak is hard because it is a really grainy wood-it doesn't get perfectly flat. I sanded, sanded, sanded and then sanded some more. I wasn't sure the color would be even, but was so pleased when the natural color came out so well.
As you can see, our table was getting a little warn. The varnish was showing signs of age and lots of use, so I decided it needed a face lift. I was in a restaurant one day and thougth to myself "it would be nice if our table had a nice finish like this." I went to home depot and found some stuff called "Super glaze. " And decided to try it.
Here is the before picture...this is after I had started sanding....and without the leaf, then I realized I had to do the leaf as well so it would be even.
And here is the finished product!!! I was so happy when I saw it in the morning! It was quite a process, so I was happy it turned out well. I learned a lot, andwould probably do much better next time, but nonetheless, it is great.
A close up of the wood. Oak is hard because it is a really grainy wood-it doesn't get perfectly flat. I sanded, sanded, sanded and then sanded some more. I wasn't sure the color would be even, but was so pleased when the natural color came out so well.
So disappointing....
I am so bummed. I probably shouldn't be posting this info, since I am not supposed to know it yet, but I was told yesterday that Spencer's preschool is not doing the integration program next school year!!! It was a total shock, since I had it all planned out....oh, so sad. I guess the principal has decided to let some assistants go due to budgeting, and apparently the ratio will be off.....what? really? The model kids are the ones that the teachers don't have to worry about, and they are good helpers. Last year there was a boy in Jordan's class who often, almost daily, wouldn't cooperate unless Jordan told him too. The teachers loved her and were sad when she missed school. Spencer's teachers say the same about him, that he is a great helper and very friendly and caring to the other children...
Ugh....now we have to fight the preschool crowds to register him somewhere next year....at least I found out now so I can prepare. The principal is going to send a note to the current models, but who knows when that could be. If she waits until after March, we would have been out of luck. So glad I know!! And I guess I shouldn't complain too much since we have had 3 years of free preschool!!
Ugh....now we have to fight the preschool crowds to register him somewhere next year....at least I found out now so I can prepare. The principal is going to send a note to the current models, but who knows when that could be. If she waits until after March, we would have been out of luck. So glad I know!! And I guess I shouldn't complain too much since we have had 3 years of free preschool!!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Some amazing kids!!
I have decided that I am really in love with my children. I guess I have known it all along, and despite their efforts to make sure I am certified "crazy" by a professional, I do adore, cherish them and am completely smitten with them. Just ask Darin-you will repeatedly hear him telling me stopping hugging and kissing on them...or will you stop starring at your child and take them up to bed, etc. He has also said they are my life and come before anything else, which he says sometimes includes him, unfortunately.
It has been too long since I have really expressed my gratitude for my-I keep saying "my" but I should say "our" children. I guess it is my blog, so I will say "my children." Anyhow I am sooo thankful to have been blessed with 3 healthy, loving, caring, fun, cute, smart, imaginative,sweet.....I could go on...children. I am, however, aware of many women who struggle to become pregnant for the first time, or to add to their family. I wish I could take away all their pain and sorrow...
In the meantime, here are some of my favorite moments my sweeties have blessed me with lately.
Jordan doesn't have school today and Landon's little class was cancelled. Jordan and Spencer were doing Starfall on the computer...at least I thought they were. I came down to check and they decided to watch a movie. Jordan managed to put a VHS tape in the VCR and press play. She hasn't ever done that before because we usually watch DVD's. They were so cute in this chair.
Our Princess Jordan
Landon is in love with his older sister. He loves to play with her, dance with her and anytime she is sitting on the floor, he plops himself down on her lap. She loves him as well, and just wraps her arms around him.
Here she was playing with both her brothers in big piles of pillows.
Spencer: A cross between Curious George and
It has been too long since I have really expressed my gratitude for my-I keep saying "my" but I should say "our" children. I guess it is my blog, so I will say "my children." Anyhow I am sooo thankful to have been blessed with 3 healthy, loving, caring, fun, cute, smart, imaginative,sweet.....I could go on...children. I am, however, aware of many women who struggle to become pregnant for the first time, or to add to their family. I wish I could take away all their pain and sorrow...
In the meantime, here are some of my favorite moments my sweeties have blessed me with lately.
Jordan doesn't have school today and Landon's little class was cancelled. Jordan and Spencer were doing Starfall on the computer...at least I thought they were. I came down to check and they decided to watch a movie. Jordan managed to put a VHS tape in the VCR and press play. She hasn't ever done that before because we usually watch DVD's. They were so cute in this chair.
Our Princess JordanI need to take stock in a paper company for this child. If there is any pad laying around, she will burn through it in no time. The dining room table has become her personal desk. She comes home and goes straight there to color and draw. I can't get mad because most of the time she makes pictures for me. Spencer spilled water yestrday and she made a cute sign saying "stop" and folded the paper and put it on the floor. So cute.
Landon is in love with his older sister. He loves to play with her, dance with her and anytime she is sitting on the floor, he plops himself down on her lap. She loves him as well, and just wraps her arms around him.
Here she was playing with both her brothers in big piles of pillows.
Spencer: A cross between Curious George and
Dennis the Menace
Here is my little helper. I recently refinished my table and he had to get in on the action. He put the mask on himself and decided he needed to help. He was also thrilled with the sander I borrowed. He loved carrying the case around. Wish I had a picture of that. He loves to carry around anything with a handle.
Spencer and his daddy. He crawled up on the couch with his daddy for a Sunday afternoon nap. Spencer is my sweetheart. He is known to say "I love you" at any time of the day, to anyone. Last Sunday he turned around in them middle of primary and said "I love you mommy" Ah...so sweet. Speaking of primary-he spoke at the microphone for the first time Sunday. The Sunbeams were in charge and the teacher was trying to get each child to say something. None of them would, but Spencer was the first one. He did great, despite the giggles from his sister. Then they all did. Then he said the closing prayer because the Sunbeam who was supposed to wouldn't. He almost swallowed the mic, but he did it all by himself!! Proud mommy moment!!!
He loves this backpack and will carry it around all day.
Tie obsession......loves em...wears em all day.
Landon.....Uh Oh is all I can say!
I thought Spencer was bad, but this kid is really giving him a run for his money! I guess it doesn't help that he has 2 older siblings to watch. He picks things up so much faster than his big brother and sister. Here are some of his doings
Here is my little helper. I recently refinished my table and he had to get in on the action. He put the mask on himself and decided he needed to help. He was also thrilled with the sander I borrowed. He loved carrying the case around. Wish I had a picture of that. He loves to carry around anything with a handle.
Spencer and his daddy. He crawled up on the couch with his daddy for a Sunday afternoon nap. Spencer is my sweetheart. He is known to say "I love you" at any time of the day, to anyone. Last Sunday he turned around in them middle of primary and said "I love you mommy" Ah...so sweet. Speaking of primary-he spoke at the microphone for the first time Sunday. The Sunbeams were in charge and the teacher was trying to get each child to say something. None of them would, but Spencer was the first one. He did great, despite the giggles from his sister. Then they all did. Then he said the closing prayer because the Sunbeam who was supposed to wouldn't. He almost swallowed the mic, but he did it all by himself!! Proud mommy moment!!!
He loves this backpack and will carry it around all day.
Tie obsession......loves em...wears em all day.
Landon.....Uh Oh is all I can say!
I thought Spencer was bad, but this kid is really giving him a run for his money! I guess it doesn't help that he has 2 older siblings to watch. He picks things up so much faster than his big brother and sister. Here are some of his doings
He got himself into this little predicament..... 
Proud little stinker!
We went to Kids N Motion and he wasn't scarred of anything!!! He crawled into this bounce house by himself!!
I wasn't feeding him fas enough one day so he got something for himself, got into his chair and started without me.
This is one thing Jordan and Spencer never figured out. When Landon wants out of his highchair, he reaches under the tray, presses the buttons and pushe the tray off...just like so:
Ah, life is good-I am free. I am lucky mommy is too lazy lately to buckle my straps. You would think she would learn....
Landon is also becoming quite the talker. He says so many thing and repeats whatever we say. This morning I yelled for the other two to come down and he yelled "sissy and roo roo." (We have called Spencer the name Spencerrooo for a long time.) Here are some of our favorites:
Proud little stinker!
We went to Kids N Motion and he wasn't scarred of anything!!! He crawled into this bounce house by himself!!
I wasn't feeding him fas enough one day so he got something for himself, got into his chair and started without me.
This is one thing Jordan and Spencer never figured out. When Landon wants out of his highchair, he reaches under the tray, presses the buttons and pushe the tray off...just like so:
Ah, life is good-I am free. I am lucky mommy is too lazy lately to buckle my straps. You would think she would learn....
Landon is also becoming quite the talker. He says so many thing and repeats whatever we say. This morning I yelled for the other two to come down and he yelled "sissy and roo roo." (We have called Spencer the name Spencerrooo for a long time.) Here are some of our favorites:
if he can't find me he will say "mommy, ere are you?'
He says "I'm coming" "buckle me' and so much more.
we love to have him say Wall E because it is sooo cute the way he says it.
we also love to hear him say raspberries, the name Lucy, and robot-all very cute because he puckers up his lips. Today when we were going to play in the snow he was yelling "my shovel" and that was just from hearing us say it. Oh, so cute!!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Tag, I'm it
This is from my friend Brighton. Enjoy!
5 things I was doing 5 years ago
Wendi
1. Taking care of a 5 almost 6 month old baby
2. Young Womens president
3. I cleaned my house much more and much better
4. Hanging out with my friend Jill alot because our babies are a month apart.
5. I cooked dinner a lot more than currently!!
Darin
1. Working at Ft. Meade Maryland
2. Elders quorum secretary
3. getting fed much better by his wife
4. Travelled to Belguim for work
5. living in same house as now, although it was more quite and relaxing....
Wendi's to do list
1. Find screws and put up my new curtains. A word caution...if you buy a curtain rod from IKEA, it does not come with screws.
2. Declutter and reorganize my kitchen and storage room.
3. get a regular work out routing going to lose this weight and have energy to keep up with you know who!!
4. prepare living room to get painted...sometime this year hopefully! Maybe if Darin goes out of town again:)
5. sell a few things on craigs list to pad my "camera and computer" account:)
Darin's to do list-I'm guessing since he thinks this is a "time waster"
1. relax
2. get his wife to be much less an emotional keel
3. finish taxes
4. go out of town again...soon
5. relax some more
5 things I would do with a million dollars
Wendi
1. Buy a bigger house and new minivan
2. Pad all our various bank accounts
3. Share with family/church/good charity
4. Get the camera and laptop I currently desire
5. take a great vacation
Darin
1. Pay off house
2. put in bank
3. Add to mission and college funds
4. Buy a new car
5. forgot the last one Darin said, but I think go on a good vacation
5 jobs I have held
Wendi
1. hostess at Po Folks restaurant
2. counselor in group home for juvenile delinquents.
3. Nanny-live in and live out
4. checker in grocery store
5. Social worker in a Community Center
Darin
1. checker in grocery store
2. World Bank/IMF
3. Department of Defense
4. Firework sales
5 . hmmm...not sure!
I tag anyone else who has a desire to share...would love to hear from you all!!
5 things I was doing 5 years ago
Wendi
1. Taking care of a 5 almost 6 month old baby
2. Young Womens president
3. I cleaned my house much more and much better
4. Hanging out with my friend Jill alot because our babies are a month apart.
5. I cooked dinner a lot more than currently!!
Darin
1. Working at Ft. Meade Maryland
2. Elders quorum secretary
3. getting fed much better by his wife
4. Travelled to Belguim for work
5. living in same house as now, although it was more quite and relaxing....
Wendi's to do list
1. Find screws and put up my new curtains. A word caution...if you buy a curtain rod from IKEA, it does not come with screws.
2. Declutter and reorganize my kitchen and storage room.
3. get a regular work out routing going to lose this weight and have energy to keep up with you know who!!
4. prepare living room to get painted...sometime this year hopefully! Maybe if Darin goes out of town again:)
5. sell a few things on craigs list to pad my "camera and computer" account:)
Darin's to do list-I'm guessing since he thinks this is a "time waster"
1. relax
2. get his wife to be much less an emotional keel
3. finish taxes
4. go out of town again...soon
5. relax some more
5 things I would do with a million dollars
Wendi
1. Buy a bigger house and new minivan
2. Pad all our various bank accounts
3. Share with family/church/good charity
4. Get the camera and laptop I currently desire
5. take a great vacation
Darin
1. Pay off house
2. put in bank
3. Add to mission and college funds
4. Buy a new car
5. forgot the last one Darin said, but I think go on a good vacation
5 jobs I have held
Wendi
1. hostess at Po Folks restaurant
2. counselor in group home for juvenile delinquents.
3. Nanny-live in and live out
4. checker in grocery store
5. Social worker in a Community Center
Darin
1. checker in grocery store
2. World Bank/IMF
3. Department of Defense
4. Firework sales
5 . hmmm...not sure!
I tag anyone else who has a desire to share...would love to hear from you all!!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
History
Yes, that's right. Darin and I were in the sea of over a million and a half people yesterday. It was quite and adventure. I wasn't sure I even wanted to go because of the crowds, but then Darin got tickets from the Washington State Representative....so off we went. Actually on Monday he went down to get the tickets. He took Jordan and the line wrapped around the building for about 3 blocks. He went around the building and found another entrance that was extremely shorter.
The actual ticket
Here are some things inside the packet:
Here is our timeline for the day.
11:00 we arrive in DC-yes it took us 2 hours to get there. The Metro stopped before every station and it took forever at each station. It took forever!! And there was a high school group on our train that were not schooled in Metro ettiquete. Their teacher was really loud and gave a free tour to everyone on the train
The actual ticket
Here are some things inside the packet:
Here is our timeline for the day.
8:30 am leave our kiddos at Carla Price's house
9:00-arrive at the metro after parking a few blocks away.
Here is the crowd at the Metro just waiting to get to the turnstyles!! It was crazy. We couldn't figure out why we stayed in one spot forever, then all of a sudden it was really fast through. We got on a train and were amazed that they let it leave before it was packed. Metro really could have done a much better job.
11:00 we arrive in DC-yes it took us 2 hours to get there. The Metro stopped before every station and it took forever at each station. It took forever!! And there was a high school group on our train that were not schooled in Metro ettiquete. Their teacher was really loud and gave a free tour to everyone on the train
By this point they had closed off the Mall, and also the entrance for our tickets. Everyone was really annoyed, then there was a rush and the crowd smashed down a fence and we think we ended up in the area we were meant to be in anyway. About 11:45 we made it to the place we stayed for the ceremony.
A view of the Capital building .
About 11:45 as the program is underway I looked around and saw all the snipers on all the buildings-they were on all the buildings.
Here I am just before noon.By the way, I have to thank Carla for the use of a really warm coat-much better than mine!!
A shot of the crowd. It was unbelievable. People from all over were there. And parents with small children. The family next to us had a boy probably 9-10 and he was up on his dad's shoulders taking pictures. Darin and I were among very few caucasian people the whole time.
Here we are about 12:10 or so after President Obama was sworn in. I couldn't really see much, but sometimes there were breaks in the crowd so I could get a glimpse at the gumbotron.
12:30 ish...Crowds leaving-a massive push of people. I hung on to Darin for dear life. My biggest fear was getting separated, even though I could find my way home if I had to.
The line getting into the Metro to go home. We were privileged to have on one side of us a mother and daughter arguing about getting separated, and on the other side a group of roudy teenage boys, of which one or more of them had body odor, or bad breath or something causing a smell. The ride home was much better.
So it really was a cool experience. It was great to witness the excitement of the people-tears falling, exclamations of joy and hope and to see all the young children and teenagers was awesome. I had been very cynical about Obama being "the first black president" because I had felt that Obama didn't truly represent the real "black" people of our country-he was raised by a white mom so how could he identify with the real "black" people. I have lived and worked in my life with populations of african americans from the inner city and wondered how Obama identified with them-I saw what they had been through in their lives.
A view of the Capital building .
About 11:45 as the program is underway I looked around and saw all the snipers on all the buildings-they were on all the buildings.
Here I am just before noon.By the way, I have to thank Carla for the use of a really warm coat-much better than mine!!
A shot of the crowd. It was unbelievable. People from all over were there. And parents with small children. The family next to us had a boy probably 9-10 and he was up on his dad's shoulders taking pictures. Darin and I were among very few caucasian people the whole time.
Here we are about 12:10 or so after President Obama was sworn in. I couldn't really see much, but sometimes there were breaks in the crowd so I could get a glimpse at the gumbotron.
12:30 ish...Crowds leaving-a massive push of people. I hung on to Darin for dear life. My biggest fear was getting separated, even though I could find my way home if I had to.
The line getting into the Metro to go home. We were privileged to have on one side of us a mother and daughter arguing about getting separated, and on the other side a group of roudy teenage boys, of which one or more of them had body odor, or bad breath or something causing a smell. The ride home was much better.
So it really was a cool experience. It was great to witness the excitement of the people-tears falling, exclamations of joy and hope and to see all the young children and teenagers was awesome. I had been very cynical about Obama being "the first black president" because I had felt that Obama didn't truly represent the real "black" people of our country-he was raised by a white mom so how could he identify with the real "black" people. I have lived and worked in my life with populations of african americans from the inner city and wondered how Obama identified with them-I saw what they had been through in their lives.
But being down there yesterday was amazing...the african americans in our country are so so excited-they see the possibilites....I imagine they feel like they are heard and counted now....being there made me see the significance of Obama being elected. It didn't seem to matter where they from-the getto, middle income neighborhoods, or even the more prosperous aftrican americans. There was a huge black guy a couple people in front of us and I swear I could see a huge superbowl ring on his finger. Everyone around him kept handing them his cameras to get closeups of the jumbotron and he graciously took every camera handed to him. I saw so many different people-from different walks of life-even heard lots of different accents. The cool thing was that I felt so united with them-we were all excited for the possibilites for our country.
When Obama was proclaimed the president the cheers were amazing. People were waving flags, crying, screaming, etc. Wow!!! It was really cool. Then he spoke and people really listened. Oh, I just remembered that during the prayer so many people around me quoted the Lord's prayer while he was saying the prayer. Anyhow, Obama really is a great speaker. He said some great things. My brain was a little cold, so I don't remember it all...but I do remember him quoting the scriptures saying that it was time to put childish things aside. I hope this spoke to the politicians...that they can stop acting like "children" when they "don't get their way" and to go about things in way to benefit the whole country and not just their own interests.
I do have to say the only one disappointing thing was when the crowd booed Bush. I know that he has made some bad decisions, but respect the man for simply being the president for 8 years (after all, he was elected!). Respect the office of the President no matter who holds it. I really believe that Bush is a genuine and decent person and thank him for his efforts on behalf of our country. I will also miss seeing Laura-she is a class act.
We are praying for you President Obama, Michell, Malia and Sasha-take good care of us!!
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